Back in June of this year I brought Statik Selektah to nappyafro in the form of a Rewind Review of his debut release album Statik Selektah Presents Spell My Name Right (The Album). Being the underground Hip Hop head that I am, I was anticipating this album along with Termanology’s album Politics As Usual last month, especially after seeing the video for the song “To The Top (Stick To The Script)”. Now one month and one release later, Statik Selektah delivers his sophomore album entitled Stick 2 The Script. Immediately after reading the title you get the idea that Statik Selektah decided to stick with the same formula of boom-bap beats and lyrical assassins that he blessed us with on his debut. Some people say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so lets see if this formula worked for Statik the second time around.

1. Stick 2 The Script (Intro)
Produced by Statik Selektah
This is your basic intro track with Statik Selektah picking up right where he left off on his debut album. Statik produces a piano driven beat letting the listeners know that he’s back for a second round and that they should be prepared for nothing less than the best.

2. To The Top (Stick 2 The Script)
Featuring Cassidy, Saigon, & Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
The album kicks right off in a major way with the first released single off the project. Statik Selektah delivers some great sounding production on this track for Cassidy, Saigon, and Termanology to spit some hard rhymes over. All three emcees attack the mic with force but Cassidy shows that he hasn’t lost a step with his punchline heavy verse that steals the show. Check out the Rik Cordero video for this song, it’s amazing as he directs it Reservoir Dog style. Rik Cordero is that dude!!!

3. For The City
Featuring M.O.P. & Jadakiss; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah takes us back on this track with a hard-hitting beat equipped with the New Jack City sampled acapella. M.O.P. and Jadakiss bless this track with some nicely delivered rhymes. M.O.P. get down for the crown on this song as Jada takes a more casual approach with his verse. Statik Selektah adds some scratching at the end to complete the track.

4. Get Out The Way
Featuring Bun B & Cory Mo; Produced by Statik Selektah
On this track Statik Selektah decides to take us down to the South in Texas to hook up with the legendary Bun B and his partner Cory Mo. Statik produces a beat that somewhat fits the Texas natives, but it seems a little lacking (maybe the oriental sounds). Both emcees drop some nice verses that support the beat and make this track listenable to an extent.

5. All 2gether Now
Featuring Freeway, Peedi Crakk, & Young Chris; Produced by Statik Selektah
This is a track that a lot of people have been waiting for a while to hear. A State Property reunion track (sort of) with original members Freeway, Peedi Crack, and Young Chris. Statik Selektah delivers some menacing production on this track for the emcee to get down on. No emcee really outdoes another on this song but Freeway definitely brought some energy to the track with his flow and delivery. It was good to hear State Property back on a track together, but now we need a full reunion (where’s Beanie Mack at???)

6. Interlude
Featuring Q-Tip; Produced by Statik Selektah
This interlude track features Q-Tip doing his best Busta Rhymes impersonation as he gives a shout to Statik Selektah over a dope produced beat by Statik Selektah. With such a good beat I would have enjoyed hearing Q-Tip spit some rhymes over it but we just get a drop instead.

7. Church
Featuring Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah hooks up a soulful vibe on this track as his production lays the backdrop for Termanology to spit his signature rhymes over. Fresh off his debut album release, Termanology shows you why he’s one of the best upcoming rappers in the industry today. I swear Termanology has some crazy punchlines (“Shorty opened her legs, it smelled like Chinatown”)…wow for real?!!!??.

8. Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)
Featuring Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, & Talib Kweli; Produced by Statik Selektah
I thought the previous track was soulful, but this one completely blows it out of the water. Statik Selektah borrows a page from 9th Wonder (I heard 9th use the same sample on one of his beats a while back) and produces a soul filled beat for the Brooklyn Connection (Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, and Talib Kweli) to talk about the ladies on. This is a real soulful track that you can just sit back and groove to while thinking about the ladies.

9. On The Marquee
Featuring Little Brother, Joe Scudda, & Chaundon; Produced by Statik Selektah
From NY we take it down to NC as Statik Selektah hooks up with Little Brother, Joe Scudda, and Chaudon. Statik Selektah really has a soul vibe going as he produces yet another soul filled beat for these emcees to drop lyrics on. This beat sounds like a perfect fit for Little Brother as Phonte does some great singing on the chorus. How could you not enjoy music like this…we need more of this in Hip Hop seriously!!!

10. Mr. Popularity
Featuring Consequence; Produced by Statik Selektah
Talk about a dark, menacing beat, Statik Selektah produces an ominous one for Consequence to deliver some great rhymes over. This song is the 2nd single off the album and it’s a good choice, as Consequence speaks much about 2Pac and his death as well as the lifestyle of somebody popular.

11. Interlude
Featuring The Madd Rapper
On this interlude track we see the return of The Madd Rapper as he tries to give a drop for Statik Selektah on his album but can’t quite seem to get his name right (“Frantic Inspector”…”Inspector Gadget”…”Static Cling”). I guess Madd Rapper should have listened to the debut album and learned how to spell his name right as well as say it right. Funny shit on this interlude.

12. This Is It (Showoff Remix)
Featuring D-Dot, Redman, & Black Rob; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah delivers some very nice production on this track that sees D-Dot, Redman, and Black Rob spitting some rhymes over it. Redman sounds real hungry on this track spitting some good rhymes and it’s good to hear Black Rob back in the mix of things.

13. So Good (Live From The Bar)
Featuring Naledge, Reks, & CL Smooth; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah comes right back on this track with some lively production equipped with the horns as Naledge, Reks, and CL Smooth all get down on the track. Reks and CL Smooth deliver some really good rhymes on the track, but Naledge steals the show with his free flowing verse. As always it was good to hear a Hip-Hop legend like CL Smooth dropping some rhymes.

14. Streets Of M.A.
Featuring Masspike Miles, Termanology, Reks, Slaine, & More; Produced by Statik Selektah
This is Statik Selektah’s track dedicated to his home Massachusetts along with the rappers that rep MA as well. Statik Selektah produces an average beat on this track with each emcee spitting a nice verse, but I don’t really think the singing on the chorus fits well with the song.

15. Sounds Of The Street (Interlude)
Featuring JFK; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah produces an interesting sounding beat on this interlude track by building the beat off various sounds heard on the street. It’s a pretty unique beat in it’s own right as JFK spits a short verse about not only being a rapper in the game, but also a fan of the game.

16. Destined To Shine
Featuring Torae, Sha Stimuli, & Jon Hope; Produced by Statik Selektah
This track comes on with a bang as Statik Selektah produces a very epic sounding beat that nicely accompanies the rhymes from Torae, Sha Stimuli, and Jon Hope. Each emcee spits lines about being destined to shine and patiently waiting for that time to arrive.

17. Cali Nights
Featuring Glasses Malone, Mistah Fab, & Novel; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik has taken us from the East Coast to the South and now we travel across country to the West Coast for a stop in Cali. The beat produced by Statik Selektah on this track is such a smooth track that it’s easy to see why the Cali emcees fit so well over it. Glasses Malone and Mistah Fab drop some good rhymes over the track while Novel makes it complete with his singing on the chorus.

18. Take It All Back
Featuring Reks, Ea$y Money, Royce Da 5’9”, & Paula Campbell; Produced by Statik Selektah
To finish off the album Statik Selektah produces a beat that has a reminiscing vibe to it that allows the emcees time to think back and recall. It was kind of surprising hearing Royce Da 5’9” on the track but he finds his fit and makes it work. The singing by Paula Campbell on the song is a real nice addition and a great way to end off the album.

Bottom Line:
At 18 total tracks, Statik Selektah provides the listeners with more than enough material to satisfy their listening crave for some real Hip-Hop music. In listening to the entire album you won’t really find a weak or bad track out of the bunch and after listening to Statik’s debut album Statik Selektah Presents Spell My Name Right (The Album) you can see that he has improved on some things while being able to keep the formula the same. Statik Selektah is really showing why he has become one of the best, underrated music producers in the game with the gems that he produced on this album. Like other compilation albums done by producers, he also showed that he has a knack for matching the right artists with the right track. If you haven’t heard of Statik Selektah or taken the time to listen to his debut album or various mixapes, then you should start with this album and introduce yourself to a great producer (then go back and listen to his previous releases). You won’t be disappointed by what Statik Selektah provides and hopefully you start to realize how much better underground Hip Hop is and has been for a long time.

nappyPicks: “To The Top (Stick 2 The Script)”, “On The Marquee”, “Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)”, “Destined To Shine”, “Cali Nights”, “Take It All Back”, “This Is It (Showoff Remix)”, & “Mr. Popularity”

Download: Statik Selektah feat. Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, & Talib Kweli – “Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)”

It’s been about 4 years since one of the illest females you’ve never heard had her album stolen and leaked to the net. Jeanius is finally getting the official treatment. This version is said to have been done all over from scratch…that is all the music done with live instrumentation/no samples and some fresh songs as well. How does it stand up? Let’s find out. (*name in italics is the name from the older leaked version*)

Intro (Intro)
The first thing I notice is the absence of about 33 seconds…but it’s a good thing. The original had some ominous voice and talking at the beginning. The song itself has definitely been back to the boards and redone. It’s obvious when compared that this one is a lot cleaner and level. Other than that, the song seems the same. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

2-32’s (B.N.K)
Featuring DP
Someone wanted to start a cypher, 32 bars each for both emcees. Nothin’ here but the beat and the mic. Lyrically, both Jean Grae and DP bring it on this one. I think the track gets a little repetitive by the end, but outside of that, the song rolls. It clocks in at about 20 seconds shorter but you don’t miss them as the song has no gaps.

Don’t Rush Me (Don’t Rush Me)
The intro adlib is funny as hell to me; “9th got the beats you can sing to for no reason”. Then she comes with the ruckus; There’s nothin’ like knowin’ ya’self/Like the way I know smokin’ had kinda broken my health/Like the way I know my flow don’t make appropriate wealth/I can’t change that/Funny I say that when it’s money I’m aimed at.  This is typical of the What What. She is unapologetically, one of the straightest shooters in the game. She is real at all times and realer at others. The most noticeable change in the track is the chord. It’s a lot deeper and placed a little later than the previous version.

My Story (Please Forgive Me)
I won’t cheapen this one by telling you what it’s about, but it’s personal as hell. I won’t claim to know her or anything like that, but if this is just her writing without experiencing what she is speaking on, she needs to write screenplays. The story is gritty and insightful and paints the picture perfectly, from all aspects. The track has been redone with some new instrumentation and slight tempo changes. The rework is obvious and positive on this one, I definitely like this version better.

The Time Is Now (The Place Is Here)
Featuring Phonte
The Ashford and Simpson of this rap shit are here playing on a classic 9th Wonder sounding track. “Get green like I’m chlorophyll”? She took it to biology, I can’t hate, I like that shit. Ha ha!. Tiggalow comes with the comedy in his flow as usual; Labels used to play me like, now they betta pay me like, I’m Luke Wilson, check ya books I ain’t Owen. Both go back and forth asserting that now is their time. Percy Miracles makes an appearance during the background. This version features a redone hook, a little beefier kick, and cleaner sound overall.

Billy Killer (He’s My Man)
The singing and guitar on this track meet you at the door and sound exquisite together. There are some gaps in this song, sounds like censorship, and I don’t know what she says in those spots. Maybe that’s part of the concept, but I missed this one. I mean, of course, it’s the darker lines that feature the gaps of silence and censorship, but I want to know what she says. It’s the same on both versions so we won’t know until I can get the interview done. This version, again, sounds cleaner and “finished” and features a lil’ more kick from the 808.

Think About It (Think About Me)
This is Jean lettin’ her nuts hang (pause). There’s nothing wrong with a lyrical threat and some grandstanding to anyone who will listen from time to time. The castration talk makes me cringe, but other than that, song is tight. The horns are well done and 9th offered up a pretty deep track, musical as hell.

8 (Non Sense)
You don’t like the way I flow/She needs more emotion tho/I’ll give you emotion, it’s you holdin’ ya broken nose/And leave you comatose/Qith a pound of Columbian snow/Atcha side and when the cops arrive they’ll just think you overdosed. The Heidi Fleiss of words? The Corretta Scott of her day? Jean is on her shit with this one. At a brisk 2:25 on the clock, this is somewhere between a interlude and a song, lyrically, it’s a beast. This version is virtually the same as the older one.

American Pimp (The Game)
Featuring Median
The track is dope, some old school funk/bluesy sounding hybrid. The song itself isn’t far behind. Median comes in and delivers a methodical deliberate flow that sometimes seems to snake around the tempo and fluctuate between here and there at times. It’s a pretty interesting dance. Jean showcases her storytelling again with the help of a dope ass change in music. The production value of this song over the previous version is bananas.

This World (Until)
Y’all wanna let me in/Then you wanna change me up/Man how the fuck you think you ever gonna play me up/You can’t play me out/Y’all just actin’ crazy now/I’ll be doing Jeanie until this world fades out. She lets us in on the roadblocks and hurdles she deals with being a woman in the biz, at the same time, she asserts and challenges anyone who thinks that she is not the genuine article. Well done Jean. The track is dope, no sight of any 9th Wonder slow down here. Not much variance from the older version.

Love Thirst (So High)
There aren’t many more Hip-Hop songs that can get more laid back and groovy than this one. The older version was about 4:26, this one is a full minute and some longer. Why? So you can listen to the grove and hear Jean …But anyway, the track is not complex but it’s so laid back and chill, you just want to hear it. Damn, this is a sexy ass song.

Desperada (2nd Chance)
Jean gets personal again talking about suicide and drugs as she gives praise for being able to live in the now. I’m so glad you saw the light too Jean. There isn’t much to say about this one, it’s pretty raw and straight forward. I think some part of all of us can relate to the song and her sentiments on this one.

Smashmouth (was included on the back half of “2nd Chance” – hidden track)
Featuring K-Hill, Edgar Allen Floe, & Joe Scudda
The way the track comes on reminds me of the another real dope posse cut, “The Headbanga”. It has that kind of go get it feel. Now the hook is horrible, but the lyrics are pretty fly from the first three. Joe Scudda stumbles a bit on the anchor leg though. Jean Grae with the Eric Cartmen shoutout damn near made me fall out my seat laughing as well as the Last Dragon reference.

Bottom Line:
I am glad it’s finally out. Even more glad that I can finally cop officially. For those of us that have this CD from the previous leak of the unreleased version, this trumps that. The production quality on every song is a lot cleaner and a lot better sound quality throughout. I was sad there wasn’t any new content though. This was a great time to add a few more tracks or do something different to make a bigger splash in the market. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a solid ass album and one that anyone that loves Hip-Hop should cop, but other than the production value issues (that some may be used to by now) it’s the same album they got for free some 4 years ago. I recently read an interview about her retiring from the game, don’t know how true it is, but I hope it isn’t. She has been in the game and has some acclaim, but none of the bright lights. Imagine working where you work and not getting a raise or any recognition from the company publicly, but at your desk, folks come by and say how good of a worker you are…and imagine it’s been this way for quite a few years now. You would feel the same way if the job was what you chose to make your career in. So I feel her, but I hope she isn’t gone. She keeps getting better with time, this is just another example of Jeanius.

nappyPicks: “2-32’s”, “Don’t Rush Me”, “Love Thirst”, & “My Story”

Download: No links, it’s leaked TWICE now. Support, support.

Since 1987, Pete Rock has steadily carved his place in Hip-Hop and collected legions fans along the way. First as one half of a duo with CL Smooth (”T.R.O.Y.”), then as a producer of other artists as well (Nas’ “The World Is Yours”). Well, it’s 2008 and Pete Rock is still grindin’ as he releases his 6th solo album in 10 years, NY’s Finest. As you can tell by the name, the album features fellow New Yorkians and has Pete Rock producing most of the album as well as rapping. Let’s see what the Soul Brother cooks up this time.

1. Pete Intro
Produced by Pete Rock
This is a short intro that sets up the tone of the album complete with clips from movies and such. This is continued through the album and precedes and ends each track. Nice touch; increases the album’s cohesiveness.

2. We Roll
Featuring Jim Jones & Max B; Produced by Pete Rock
The album officially starts of with Jimmy Jones and Max B. Now, if you read my unfavorable Jim Jones review last week (Harlem’s American Gangster), you probably think I won’t like this song either. Well, you’re wrong. It always surprises me how well Jim Jones and Pete Rock sound together (Remember “G’s Up”?). All in all, it’s a good song that combines Jim Jones and Max B usual rhymes over a well produced smoothed out Pete Rock track.

3. Til I Retire
Produced by Pete Rock
Pete goes solo on this one and it uses samples of Run DMC’s “King Of Rock”. Even though Pete Rock isn’t known much for his lyrics, he does his thing here with lines like “More bars than Alcatraz, just call me The Rock”. It’s basically talking about various things like his place in music and how he’s not going anywhere. Good song.

4. 914
Featuring Styles P & Sheek Louch; Produced by Pete Rock
It gets gutta when Pete Rock and D-Block get together on this one. This track has an old school 90’s feel but that not a bad thing here. This is basically a song reppin’ 914 (New York’s area code). If you a D-Block fan, don’t worry they didn’t hold back on the gangster talk here

5. Questions
Featuring Royal Flush; Produced by Pete Rock
Damn, I ain’t heard from Royal Flush since like 1995 when he had that song “Iced Out Medallions”. Well he’s back and still doing his thing. He even goes into talking about his divorce and how he had to “get rid of that bitch”. Along with the track, he sounds like he did back in ‘95, so I can’t hate on that. It’s an all right track.

6. Best Believe
Featuring Redman & LD; Produced by Pete Rock
Redman jumps on the track like always. Doesn’t seem like Redman flow is always unswerving? The hook, done by Pete Rock, is kinda lazy though. I never really heard of LD but he and Pete Rock’s verses don’t sound too bad here. The beat is okay, not great, but okay.

7. Ready Fe War
Featuring Chip Fu & Rene; Produced by Pete Rock
This is basically a Reggae song. For those that don’t know, Chip Fu is from the group Fu-Schnickens and Rene is from the R&B group Zhane. Don’t get it twisted, Chip Fu is not rapping like he was with Shaq (”What’s Up Doc?”). I thought dude was Maxey Priest. It’s alright; more Reggae than Hip-Hop though.

8. Don’t Be Mad
Produced by Green Lantern
This is the only track on the album not produced by Pete Rock. Green Lantern provides a track that sounds…just like Pete Rock. The beat isn’t bad but this song is slightly brought down by Pete Rock. I mean he’s good sometimes (like on the previous “Til I Retire”), but he’ still not a lyricist.

9. Bring Y’all Back
Featuring Little Brother & Joe Scudda; Produced by Pete Rock
Whoa. This beat on this one is a banger. Little Brother with help from Joe Scudda do damage here. The funny thing is, since Pete and 9th Wonder’s beats sometime sound similar, the track reminds me of stuff Little Brother did before they became a duo.

10. The Best Secret
Featuring Lord of the Underground; Produced by Pete Rock
The parade of 90’s New York rappers continues as Lord of the Underground comes through. Did you know that Lords of the Underground came out last year? Me neither. They unexpectedly do a good job here. They sound inspired and ride the Pete Rock piano laced track like youngsters.

11. That’s What I Am Talking About
Featuring Rell; Produced by Pete Rock
I guess this is the closest you’re gonna get to a club record on this album. The song features ex Roc-A-Fella artists Rell doing the hook. The beat is the usual smooth Pete Rock style. It’s a nice laid back sound.

12. The PJ’s
Featuring Raekwon & Masta Killa; Produced by Pete Rock
Is it me, or did after the buzz of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II died, Raekwon fell off a little? He sometimes just goes on and on about nothing. Well, Pete Rock provides a sufficient track but it kinda sounds boring after Rae and Killa jump on. Kinda sad to see what Wu Tang has become.

13. Made Man
Featuring Tarrey Torae; Produced by Pete Rock
On this track Pete Rock reps NY hard on this track with lines like, “I rep New York like I play for the Knicks”. He once goes solo on the rap side with Tarrey Torae singing the hooks and ad-libs. The beat get’s kinda redundant but it’s serviceable.

14. Let’s Go
Featuring Doo Wop; Produced by Pete Rock
Damn, the pace picks up real fast when it gets to this track; it woke my ass up. Is this DJ Doo Wop? If so, he ain’t bad on the mic at all. The song is about a minute and a half so it’s short but to the point. There are talks about Pete Rock and Doo Wop doing an album together under the name Tango & Cash. Now, I’m thinking it might be worth a listen.

15. Comprehend
Featuring Papoose; Produced by Pete Rock
Papoose comes through for the last track on the album. Pete Rock does well to make a track that sounds good under Papoose’s voice. The one problem I have with this track is a line Papoose says at the beginning; “When that storm hit the South in New Orleans up, me and Kanye the only MC’s who spoke up”. Damn, David Banner, Mos Def, and other didn’t? Other than that, it’s an alright way to end the album.

Bottom Line:
Pete Rock is mostly consistent when it comes to his beats; on this album it mostly the same. The sound of the album itself is unified and that says a lot in today’s market of albums full of solitary singles. Although there are some slip ups and the wheel doesn’t get reinvented, it’s still just Hip-Hop baby and Pete Rock brings it.

nappy Picks: “We Roll”, “Bring Y’all Back” & “Let’s Go”

Download: Pete Rock feat. Little Brother & Joe Scudda – “Bring Y’all Back”

Hailing from the streets of Durham, N.C by the way of Chicago, Jozeemo aims some lyrical hollow points at the listeners on Cry Now L.A.F. Later. A Hall of Justus member, but don’t let that fool you, his music is from/for the streets. Not just talking the talk, Jozeemo walks the walk, spending two years doing some FED time for gun possession. But that’s not what he is all about, when he’s not slaying cats on the mic; he’s with his L.O.B crew trying to make a living. But let’s dig deeper into the disc to see what Jozeemo has to say.

Cry Now LAF Later
Produced by Lava
Starts off with some dialogue from a movie, then Jozeemo jumps on the track like a trampoline! Lines like, “I figured that you never heard nothing like this from the HOJ, well this ain’t your day!” Good start to the album!

Gunz Up
Featuring Gram; Produced by Mike Blayz
On this one you have Joe and Gram putting in work over a guitar laced track. The aggressive flow compliments the track perfectly.

Problems
Produced by K. Slack
This is BANGER right here! Joe hits us with lines like, “No I don’t remember you from high school, I don’t know you from the county, we ain’t kick in the fed camp, dead that, calm down for you fuck around and get your head cracked, I heard about the bible, but sorry I never read that!” Like he said, he’s not rapping he’s talking about his life!

Gangstas
Featuring J-Tek; Produced by Don Cannon
Cannon laced Jozeemo on this one, and he didn’t disappoint on the track! Jozeemo and J-Tek do the back and forth thing on this one. The track being so nice makes it easy for them to flow over it.

I’m That Nigga
Produced by Khrysis
Once again we have Jozeemo flowing over a sick beat, this one better than the last one. But Jozeemo doesn’t get outshined by the production on the song. CHECK IT OUT!

Ya Hear Me
Produced by 9th Wonder
Joe talks to God on this one, letting him know that there is a method to his madness. He’s not out there hustling just to hustle. He’s out there on the grind to provide for the fam.

We Don’t Wait
Featuring L.O.C; Produced by Ill Mind
The beat on this is nice, the lyrics are on point. The only problem I have is the way the hook is sung. Maybe done a different way and it would’ve been fine. Besides that part the song is decent.

Who We Are
Featuring Joe Scudda; Produced by Evidence
On this one we have them repping their cities on the track, being from N.C. wish someone would have repped for Greensboro on this one! But Durham and Raleigh do their thing FOR REAL!

Stick Up
Featuring Louwey V; Produced by Black Jeruz
The track sounds very southern on this one, and that is a good thing. This is one that could bump all over the South; maybe a remix with Luda or Jeezy would be hot. CHECK IT OUT!

What You Lookin At
Featuring Shelly B; Produced by Mike Blayz
This sounds like a club song, the first slip up by Jozeemo on this album. The song is out of his comfort zone. Sounds forced…SKIP!

Didn’t Wanna Leave
Featuring Kal Royale; Produced by K. Hill
This is a fun song, not in a Puffy/Mase way, but in street way. The track is banging and the flows are good. The streets will respect this one.

All I Ask
Featuring Carlita Durand; Produced by Skaz Digga
Jozeemo made a one for the ladies. But remember THUGS NEED LOVE TOO! So I ain’t mad, because it still has that edginess to it that the hardest dude could appreciate.

What It’s Like
Featuring O.C. & O Sin; Produced by Ill Phil
This flow sounds dated, but Jozeemo sounds like Petey Pablo on this song. He sounds real SOUTHERN. His verse is live, but O.C. sucked it up. O Sin’s verse was decent. The song is still good.

Lose It
Featuring Little Brother; Produced by Khrysis
LB jumps on a track with Jozeemo and they kill it! Nothing else needs to be said. BLAZING!

Feelings
Produced by Khrysis
The production by Khrysis makes it easy for Joe to deliver a sick song. The beat is nice and Jozeemo’s words flow out easily. This is a tight song; you got to hear this one.

Bottom Line:
This album was definitely a change from what I’ve been listening to. Jozeemo made a name for himself on this one. He said he is not rapping; he’s talking about his life. When he does that, it comes easy to him, and that translates to the listeners. His topics aren’t forced and you can hear that from track to track. He stuck to his formula and it worked out in his favor. If you want to know more about Jozeemo go and check out www.myspace.com/jozeemo

Everyonce in a while, hip hop peeks out of the gaudy chains, shiny teeth, money stacks, and big rims to say, FUCKAS I’m still here!!! 9th Wonder has been behind more of those peeks than most. With production that sky rocketed with Little Brother but includes Jean Grae, Jay-Z (Black Album no less), De La Soul and Mos Def, just to name a few, 9th Wonder makes sure that we continue to have some phenomenal tracks to support some legendary artists.

With that, this will be probably the shortest review ever on this site. I love my job.

Usually, we do a track by track review. Let me do something a little out of the ordinary. I will give you the tracklist first.

1. “Mr. Dream Merchant Intro”
2. “Shots (Featuring Big Dho and Sean Price)”
3. “Merchant Of Dreams (Featuring The Embassy, Skyzoo, and Torae)”
4. “Brooklyn In My Mind (Crooklyn Dodgers 3) (Featuring Mos Def, Jean Grae, and Memphis Bleek)”
5. “Sunday (Featuring Keisha Shontelle and Chaundon)”
6. “Baking Soda (Featuring Big Treal)”
7. “Reminisce (Take Time) (Featuring Big Remo and The Great Novej of the A.L.L.I.E.S.)”
8. “No Time To Chill (Featuring Little Brother)”
9. “It Aint Over (Featuring Jozee Mo and Tyler Woods)”
10. “The Last Time (The D, The Chi, and The Lou) (Featuring Royce da 5′9″, Naledge, and Vandalyzm of the Midwest Wreckin’ Crew)”
11. “Saved (Featuring Saigon and Joe Scudda)”
12. “Milky Lowa (Featuring Camp Lo)”
13. “Backlash (Featuring Sean Boog and Buckshot)”
14. “Thank You (Featuring D.O.X and O-Dash)”
15. “Let It Bang (Featuring Ness and Skyzoo)”
16. “What Makes A Man (Featuring Rapper Big Pooh and Buddy Klein)”
17. “(Bonus) Special Remix (Featuring Strange Fruit Project and Median)”
18. “(Bonus) You Wanna (Featuring NBS)”

So, let me paraphrase even that list. It features, Royce da 5’9”, Little Brother, Mos Def, Jean Grae, Strange Fruit Project, Camp Lo, Joe Scudda, Naledge, Chaundon, Bleek, Ness (Bad Boy), and Big Pooh making another appearance. It is 18 tracks of solid hip hop. 18 MUTHAFUCKIN’ TRACKS, no skits. It even has snippets at the end of the songs from other projects. Yes, he somehow leaves you wanting more with samples of other shit at the end of the 18 MUTHAFUCKIN’ TRACKS already on the album.

Bottom Line:
Quite simply put, if you love REAL hip hop, if you love that underground feel but crave flawless production, and being real honest, if you have ears, you NEED this damn CD. This is THE best CD of its kind I have ever heard, and one of the best hip hop albums to drop to date.

nappy Picks: “Brooklyn In My Mind”, “No Time To Chill”, “ Merchant of Dreams”, “ Let It Bang”, & “What Makes A Man”

Download: “Merchant OF Dreams” (feat. The Embassy, Skyzoo, and Torae)

Bonus Download: “Brooklyn In My Mind” (Crooklyn Dodgers 3) (feat. Mos Def, Jean Grae, & Memphis Bleek)

Poor Little Brother, will you ever get to shine. Well, it isn’t that bad for the North Carolina trio…uh duo. Let’s do a brief history: Little Brother started out with two rappers (Big Pooh and Phonte) and a producer (9th Wonder). Little Brother’s first album The Listening came out in 2003 on indie label ABB Records to much critical acclaim but little commercial success (it even received a “Hip-Hop Quotable” in The Source). They then signed to a major, Atlantic Records, and released The Minstrel Show in 2005 to once again receive critical success but push 18,000 in first week sales (BET even refused to play the group’s video for their first single “Lovin’ It” because it was “too intelligent”). In between all of this they also dropped other minor projects like The Chittlin’ Circuit 1.5 (2005 retail mixtape) and The Commercial Free EP (2006 live album) as well as other side projects by the group’s individual members (9th Wonder has worked with artists like Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child)). Then, finally a ray of hope came in the form of DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz series. Little Brother and Drama team up to produced the mixtape, Little Brother best received work, Separate But Equal. Okay, now that that’s out the way, Little Brother returns (minus 9th Wonder) to bring to you the mixtape, And Justus for All (with DJ Mick Boogie).Oh yea, they giving this one out for free too people.How does the group hold up as duo? How good is a free internet mixtape? Let’s find out:

INTRO (POOBIE’S SONG) (feat. Big Pooh)
Big Pooh starts of the mixtape rapping over Jay-Z’s “Hova Song”. Being the big Jigga fan that I am, you know I gotta be hard on him but he does okay. We also gets to here from DJ Drama via phone which is good because I was wondering what his next movie was anyway.

CAN’T STOP US (feat. Chaundon)
Even though 9th Wonder didn’t produce this beat, it still sounds like it. It samples Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You”. Phonte wins on this one with lines like; “The number one, assassinator of lame ducks, Phone-Tigger got the game tucked like a comber bun”. Traditional Little Brother song.

DELUSIONAL (feat. Oddisee)
Another laid back 9th Wonder like beat; nothing special. Little Brother delivers a good performance.

THE PURPOSE OF MIXTAPES (Interlude)

LIFE OF THE PARTY (REMIX) (feat. Skillz)
Skillz takes a break from doing yearly wrap-ups to drop a verse. The song is actually funny with lines like; “Girl what you mean you don’t recognize me? I’m only the biggest rap star in your apartment complex.” The beat ain’t bad either.

BEST KEPT SECRET (feat. Legacy)
Okay, I’m starting to realize that Little Brother brought their whole crew for this mixtape. There is a feature on almost every song. With that said, Legacy does come out swinging with the first verse. This is a “let’s all take turns spitting fire” type of song, but it works.

WACK FREESTYLES (Interlude)
Little Brother asks rappers the question: Why freestyle over the same beats everybody else freestyles over?

DO IT TO DEATH (feat. Rhymefest & Supastition)
Back from wherever rappers disappear to when their album flops horribly, Rhymefest drops in. Actually, Ryhmefest drops a decent verse but Phonte steals the show again with; “When LB hit the shelves, ya’ll niggas is assed out like Chippendales, not Rescue Rangers, we don’t rescues strangers”.

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS (feat. Phonte & Von Pea)
Okay, on this song they are starting to sound like dudes on the street I might hear in any Northern state. They just rapping bars with no focus; just to put words together. This is only okay for so long. The beat is alright though (and on further listen, the rhymes are not bad either).

THE JUSTUS LEAGUE CREW (Interlude)
Little Brother explains who The Justus League Crew is.

LAST DAY (feat. Phonte)
This is probably my favorite song on the album. It’s just Phonte rapping (over Onyx’s “Last Days”) about his last days working at a department store. What’s great about this is that the story is witty and relatable. This is what Hip-Hop needs right now. Can 50 Cent rap comfortably about something other than drugs, sex, and violence. What about Cam’ron? This is a good song to listen to for lyrics and creativity.

NEVER LEAVE
Finally, a Little Brother song with just Little Brother on it. It’s their take on a street song but it’s not what you think. It might take a few listens for the slow minded but check it out.

MICK BOOGE, THE A&R (Interlude)

BRING IT ON (feat. Big Pooh & Ray Cash)
Cleveland’s Ray Cash stops by to get with Big Pooh over Jay-Z’s “Bring It On”. Is it bad? No. Does it measure up to the original? Hell no. Still not a bad song though.

WITHOUT YOU (feat. Big Pooh, Bishop Lamont, & Jozeemo)
This is my first time hearing Aftermath signee Bishop Lamont and you know what? He sounds a like The Game and has that West Coast lyrical thing going. This song, I guess, is about girls but the subject matter isn’t all that coherent. The hook is kinda weird but the beat is alright.

MYSPACE ETIQUETTE PART 1 (Interlude)

THE PRESSURE
The lyrics are okay on this song but I didn’t feel the beat that much. They might of should’ve keep this one off. Not bad but nothing noteworthy.

FAN MAIL (feat. Joe Scudda)
Oh shit! This beat is kinda hot. It has the cinematic feel that 9th Wonder sometimes had trouble providing and Little Brother needed. This group needs more songs with energy because one of the big complaints about them is that they are sometimes boring. Check this one out.

FAVORITE DUOS(Interlude)
Little Brother discusses their favorite duos (MC Hammer and Too Big MC?).

LET IT GO (BLACKSTAR VERSION) (feat. Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
Talib drops in to add a verse to “Let It Go” from Separate But Equal. It’s just good to hear Black Star together again.

ONE ELEVEN (feat. Big Pooh & O-Dash)
This is an okay song. The beat uses a violin loop and has Pooh talking to his brother who just comes home from jail. It an okay song and it’s good to hear Little Brother talking about subjects like these.

MYSPACE ETIQUETTE PART 2 (Interlude)

CROSS THAT LINE (REMIX) (feat. Kardinal Offishall)
Toronto representative Kardinal Offishall comes in to add a verse. Not bad but if you didn’t like the original you won’t like this one either.

BACK AT IT (KHRYSIS REMIX) (feat. Cormega)
Little Brother and Cormega? Okay. The beat is hot with Little Brother sounding comfortable with Cormega sounding out of place. Without that it coulda been a great song because the hook is catchy.

RISE AND FALL (feat. AZ)
Where the hell did they get AZ from? Little Brother gets down with AZ to deliver some retrospective rhymes and unlike Cormega, Sosa doesn’t sound out of his element. It’s a good laid back song. When Little Brother makes songs like this it makes you wonder why shit like this wasn’t on the album.

GROWN MAN (feat. Talib Kweli)
Midi Mafia provides the beat for this one. This song speaks about growing up and getting your “grown man on”. It’s a good song to close out the mixtape.

OUTROLUDE
The end of the mixtape..

Bottom Line:
This was a good mixtape and it is available free of charge (Not that “I’m a just download it and not pay for it” free of charge either.). While this is not their best mixtape, it is probably a must have if you are a Little Brother fan since this marks the first project after 9th Wonder’s departure. There are not that many bad songs but not that many classics either. The one drawback is that there are a lot of features on this mixtape. But then I must reiterate that it is a free mixtape so all in all, I say it was a good effort.

nappy Picks: “Last Day”, “Never Leave”, “Fan Mail”, & “Rise And Fall”

The only reason I ever even looked at this CD was because 9th Wonder’s beats. He already was one third of Little Brother, not to mention his production work with Jay-Z (“Threat” & Black Is Back), Tru Life (“New New York”), & Nas (God’s Stepson), among others. I really didn’t know much about Murs. I heard he had out about 12 albums, solo and with various groups, I haven’t heard one, so I figured he was underground. Plus, I read he had two albums dedicated to Christina Ricci and Lisa Bonet (what?) with a rapper named Slug. Okay, well whatever. Also, this is their second album together. Here goes…

MURS DAY
In the album’s intro Murs flows like a vet, shit, I guess he is. 9th Wonder of course come with a soulful track and some how finds a sample of a man that actually says the words “Murs Day”. The line about: “I got a little money and I coulda bought a chain, but my momma woulda killed me, simple and plain” brought me in.

MURRAY’S LAW
I guess this could also be taken as an intro (the first track was 1:54, this one 2:39). This is just Murs talking greezy, which ain’t bad since he ain’t talking about a shooting (“I got a right hook, that a vacate ya Timberlands”). Getting at wack rappers also with: “Is this really where you wanna be when Jesus come back? Lyin ’bout your life, over beats comin whack?”

SILLY GIRL (feat. Joe Scudda)
See, this is what I talking about. Here Murs is rapping about girl problems. Not that original huh? Well instead of talking about how he tricking for women’s clothes or how all bitches fall at his feet, he actually sounds somewhat realistic. Subjects like girls making you wait to get the pussy just to keep you around are close to my heart.

BABERSHOP (feat. Big Pooh)
This song’s basically about what we black folks do at the barbershop. They bring in Big Pooh from Little Brother to help. Okay song, you can tell some of it was freestyled though.

YESTERDAY & TODAY
The 9th beat on this is sick. Murs raps about feeding his kids and the problem working a nine to five and sometimes putting your pride aside. I can relate to that better than selling bricks and where $100,000 jewelry.

DREAMCHASER
This is a good song that’s about looking up to your local neighborhood gang banger when you’re only nine. Murs actually captures the feeling saying things only a kid would look at as cool like guns, getting jumped in a gang, and jail time… okay maybe not just kids think these are cool.

L.A.
I didn’t really like this song. Murs raps about was goes on in his city, but the beat didn’t speak “Los Angeles” to me at all. SKIP!

LOVE & APPERCIATE
I guess this might be called a love song (maybe love and almost lost anyway). He delves into a past relationship and how it got too “familiar” and the attraction started to sway. This might be one you play when you and your long time fight and you think about cheating. It might get your ass to stay at the house.

D.S.W.G. (DARK SKINNED WHITE GIRLS)
When I first heard this song, I kind of laugh because I thought Murs was trying to get at some White groupie love with this one. But I guess everyone needs an anthem, even the White girl who acts black, gets jump by the Black girls, and is praised by the Black man (he says this in the song). I don’t mind this one at all.

MURRAY’S REVENGE
The title track and the closing of the album, Murs uses this track to spit a little fire (“The dopest MC to walk, talk it, and live it”). 9th Wonder provides a hard hitting track which provides room for this (I know underground heads love this one).

Bottom Line:
I had my reservations about the CD before I listened to but it turned into one of the best I heard this year. 9th Wonder provided great production while Murs provided great insight and lyrics that everybody can relate to. If you want something from the norm, check this one out.

nappy Picks: Everything except “L.A.”… Better yet, just buy it if you can find it, you know it need the sells.